Hot Vacation Desinations for 2010

Places to visit in 2010

A new year is a time for planning new adventures, like any of these 30 destinations around the globe. Some are new or freshly renovated for 2010 while others are old favorites worth the journey.
Let's start in Bora Bora, the ultimate getaway for tropic paradise seekers. Here is the infinity pool with views of a lagoon and nearby Otemanu Mountain at Le Meridien Bora Bora.

Le Meridien Bora Bora

Places to visit in 2010

A new year is a time for planning new adventures, like any of these 30 destinations around the globe. Some are new or freshly renovated for 2010 while others are old favorites worth the journey.</br>
Let's start in Bora Bora, the ultimate getaway for tropic paradise seekers. Here is the infinity pool with views of a lagoon and nearby Otemanu Mountain at <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemeridien/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1905&EM=VTY_MD_1905_BORABORA_PROP_OVERVIEW" target="external"> Le Meridien Bora Bora</a>.

Le Meridien Bora Bora

Places to visit in 2010

You resolved to exercise more in 2010, but who wants another hour on the treadmill? Skip the gym and come to <a href="http://www.jumbybayresort.com/" target="external">Jumby Bay</a>, a Rosewood Resort 2 miles off the coast of Antigua where some kayaking is in store for you to stay healthy in the new decade. The resort reopened in December after an 18-month, $28 million renovation.

Jumby Bay

Places to visit in 2010

If tropical beaches aren't your thing, consider what has got to be the ultimate adrenaline rush: <a href="http://www.clubwindandkite.com/?lang=en" target="external">winter kiteboarding</a> in New Brunswick, Canada. Typically, somebody is strapped to a board -- sort of like a small surfboard or wakeboard -- and then uses a kite to propel them across the water. But in Canada's winter, a snowboard can be swapped in and adventure seekers can have year-round fun.

Club Wind & Kite

Places to visit in 2010

Speaking of ice, every night at <a href="http://www.lemeurice.com/" target="external">Le Meurice</a> hotel in Paris, this Philippe Starck-designed mirror in the lobby is frozen. Guests leave messages in the ice and it melts throughout the day. Each day starts with a fresh "canvas."

Le Meurice

Places to visit in 2010

Speaking of ice, this might be the key year to visit Antarctica. Access to the continent could dramatically drop in 2011 thanks to new rules adopted by the International Maritime Organization requiring ships in Antarctic waters to use the lightest and cleanest burning marine gas oil starting next year. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators anticipates this will reduce the number of ships able to operate in this region by 40 percent. Some high-end tour companies like <a href="http://www.abercrombiekent.com/antarctica/" target="external">Abercrombie & Kent</a> have chartered new ships that meet all the new environmental regulations. But not everybody has.

Abercrombie & Kent

Places to visit in 2010

If ice isn't your thing, consider this: a trip to Botswana, Africa. Even if roughing it isn't your style, the "Star Bed" at <a href="http://sanctuary-retreats.com/lodges/botswana/baines-camp.cfm" target="external"> Sanctuary Retreats' Baines Camp </a>is sure to wow. You sleep out under the stars but are given all the comforts of home. This is unlike any camping experience you ever had as a kid.

Sanctuary Retreats

Places to visit in 2010

Sin City is back on the travel highlights for the year thanks to the grand opening in December of MGM Mirage's massive City Center project. In the heart of the development is the new <a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/" target="external"> Mandarin Oriental</a>, a 47-story, 392-room hotel that is the only free-standing, non-gaming, luxury property on the Las Vegas Strip. The entire Vegas skyline is visible from the hotel's swank bar.

Mandarin Oriental

Places to visit in 2010

It's miles away from Vegas, but the new owners of the <a href="http://www.greenbrier.com/site/" target="external">Greenbrier</a> resort in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va., are about to debut a new underground, Monte Carlo-style casino as part of a relaunch of the famed hotel. But the real treat for golf fans this year will be the inaugural playing of the Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour, FedExCup event held on the resort's historic Old White Course.

Greenbrier

Places to visit in 2010

Just want to kick back and enjoy a nice drink? Head to Piets Pier in Aruba. Named after a Dutch sailor who frequented this bar, the pier at the <a href="http://www.aruba.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp" target="external">Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino </a> has become a popular spot for drinks and, of course, karaoke.

Piets Pier

Places to visit in 2010

A piece of American history will re-emerge in June 2010 with the opening of the iconic <a href="http://www.oceanhouseri.com/" target="external">Ocean House</a> after a $140 million restoration and rebuild. This Victorian-era, luxury resort on the shores of Watch Hill, R.I., will be home to the only private resort beach in New England.

Ocean House

Places to visit in 2010

This year brings "The Bachelor" to Saint Lucia, making it a great time to see some of the latest reality-TV locales. Shown here are the island's Piton Mountains.

Saint Lucia Tourist Board

Places to visit in 2010

If water is more your thing, talk a walk on the edge at the <a href="http://www.littledixbay.com/" target="external">Rosewood Little Dix Bay</a> in the British Virgin Islands. The pool at the Sense Spa at the resort overlooks Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay

Places to visit in 2010

Over in Portland, Ore., stay at an environmentally-friendly, LEED Silver certified, hotel: <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1757" target="external">the Nines</a>. This property in the heart of Portland opened less than two years ago and is part of Starwood's Luxury Collection.

Nines

Places to visit in 2010

For something a bit more classic, hop over to Paris for a romantic getaway. At the <a href="http://www.plaza-athenee-paris.com/" target="external">Plaza Athenee</a>, the brand new Eiffel Suite 361 offers an iconic view of the Paris skyline and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Now, that isn't a picture but the frame around an actual window. Ooh la la!

Plaza Athenee

Places to visit in 2010

Over in Italy, <a href="http://www.castelmonastero.com/en/" target="external">Castel Monastero</a> is a new retreat in Tuscany, built in an 11th century medieval village and featuring a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

Castel Monastero

Places to visit in 2010

While in Italy, why not hop up to a winter wonderland in Milan? For a traditional stay, check in to <a href="http://www.hotelprincipedisavoia.com/" target="external">the Hotel Principe di Savoia</a>, a neoclassical property overlooking Piazza della Repubblica.

Hotel Principe di Savoia

Places to visit in 2010

On Capri there are jaw-dropping views from the cliffs at <a href="http://www.caesar-augustus.com/" target="external">Hotel Caesar Augustus</a>, which offers spectacular views over the entire Bay of Naples, the perfect way to kickoff your new year.

Hotel Caesar Augustus

Places to visit in 2010

Soccer fans from around the world (OK, most of them call it football) are flocking to South Africa this year for the World Cup. While there, <a href="http://www.abercrombiekent.com/travel/index.cfm?tid=4526" target="external">take a safari</a> and see some of the country's majestic creatures.

Abercrombie & Kent

Places to visit in 2010

Visitors to Vietnam can check out the <a href="http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1555-sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi/index.shtml" target="external">Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi</a> which just completed a four-year renovation in July and was rebranded as a Sofitel Legend property.

Sofitel

Places to visit in 2010

For those heading to the Caribbean, the new <a href="http://www.sandals.com/main/emerald/em-home.cfm" target="external">Sandals Emerald Bay</a> in Great Exuma, Bahamas, will debut Jan. 22 as the world's first all-butler, all-oceanfront resort.

Sandals

Places to visit in 2010

In Nassau, Paradise Island the end of the year is met with the colorful Bahamian Junkanoo Parade which fills the streets with the sounds of brass horns and cow bells.

The Islands Of The Bahamas

Places to visit in 2010

For something a bit closer to home, consider sunset at a pool in the heart of Vermont. The <a href="http://www.windhamhill.com/" target="external">Windham Hill Inn</a> in West Townshend, Vt., recently was welcomed into luxury hotel and restaurant group <a href="http://www.relaischateaux.com/spip.php?page=home&lang=en" target="external">Relais & Chateaux</a> and offers guests a chance to escape the crowds, relax and unwind in the picturesque surroundings.

Windham Hill Inn

Places to visit in 2010

Also in Vermont is the <a href="http://www.topnotchresort.com/" target="external">Topnotch Resort and Spa</a> where people can take a dip in the pool with the backdrop of Mt. Mansfield.

Topnotch Resort and Spa

Places to visit in 2010

Those heading out for a cruise in the coming year will have plenty of new options to chose from including the <a href="http://www.seabourn.com/YourYachts/Odyssey/" target="external">Seabourn Odyssey</a> which was the first new ultra-luxury ship to launch in six years when it set sail from Venice in June. The ship has 225 oceanview suites, 90 percent of which have private verandas.

Seabourn

Places to visit in 2010

Our national parks offer perfect family vacations and are back in the spotlight this year thanks, in part, to the recent Ken Burns documentary. One of the most spectacular parks is Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone in Wyoming. This is a shot from the observation deck at the <a href="http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/jackson-lake-lodge-overview.aspx" target="external">Jackson Lake Lodge</a>, during sundown in July.

Carla Tracy

Places to visit in 2010

If fast cars are more your speed, well then look no further than the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the <a href="http://www.bahraingp.com/" target="external">Bahrain International Circuit</a>. The race series returns to Bahrain as the kingdom kicks off the F1 World Championship in March 2010.

Bahrain International Circuit

Places to visit in 2010

For something a bit more cultural, fly off to Mexico City which offers a flourishing community of historic and modern fine art, music and theatrical venues. Cultural experiences include hundreds of exhibits, galleries and performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Folklórico de Mexico, Lucha Libre and hundreds of dance clubs, cantinas, cinemas and mariachi band performances.

Mexico City Experience

Places to visit in 2010

Or maybe this is the year to cool off at <a href="http://www.vail.com/Default.aspx" target="external">Vail's</a> legendary back bowls where skiers can enjoy fantastic views of the Rockies while plowing through, hopefully, deep powder.

Jack Affleck, Vail Mountain, Colo.

Places to visit in 2010

Finally, after all that traveling, you might want to rest and relax at the <a href="http://www.redmountainspa.com/" target="external">Red Mountain Resort & Spa</a> in Utah. You can recharge with hiking, healthy eating and a wide range of spa treatments.